According to the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Americans replace around three million heating and cooling (HVAC) systems yearly. Moreover, U.S. consumers spend an estimated $14 billion annually on HVAC services and repairs.
All those figures prove how critical heating and cooling installation has become to our daily lives. After all, without air conditioners, people will suffer from the heat and humidity summers bring to Carbon County, PA. If not for heating systems, they'd be freezing when the cold and snowy winter season rolls in.
So, if your existing HVAC system is on the fritz, it's best to have the pros replace it and install a new, longer-lasting, and more energy-efficient unit. The big question is, how do you pick the right company to install your system?
The experts at Home Comfort Solutions in Lehighton, PA, have shared tips to help you get started, so read on.
1. Confirm Registration With the PA Attorney General's Office
Unlike other states, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania doesn't require HVAC contractors to have a contractor's license. However, they must register with the PA Attorney General's Office. It's their legal responsibility to comply with Title 73 Pennsylvania Statutes Trade and Commerce § 517.1, otherwise known as the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA).
The act covers heating and cooling experts who provide installation and other HVAC-related services with a total agreed-upon project cost of $500 or more.
Reasons to Work With a Registered HVAC Contractor
When choosing HVAC contractors, you'd want to ensure they'll:
Inform you of all the type, quality, and cost of the materials (including the HVAC equipment itself)
Provide a complete description of the work they'll do
Guarantee the removal of old materials and debris resulting from the project
Complete the work as outlined in the written contract
Provide a reasonable estimated time of project start and completion
Put into writing all the project's details in an official contract
Under HICPA, registered contractors must do all of the above. If they don't, they're guilty of violating the act. As outlined in the HICPA information sheet provided by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), contractors who violate the act can face penalties ranging from misdemeanors to felonies!
For those reasons, please ensure you work only with registered HVAC contractors providing high-quality, dependable home comfort solutions.
How to Check Contractor Registration
Under HICPA, contractors must note their registration numbers in the following:
Advertisements
Estimates
Proposals
Contracts
Contractors that provide reliable installation services of HVAC systems will also readily provide their registration numbers. You can then confirm their validity using the PA Attorney General's online search tool and database. Here, you'll see whether the registration is still valid or if it has already expired.
2. Verify the Contractor's Insurance
Under HICPA, PA HVAC contractors, including those in Carbon County, must carry the following:
Liability insurance, which must include coverage for personal injury of at least $50,000
Property damage insurance coverage of at least $50,000
For your safety, please contract only with a heating and cooling installation company that meets the above insurance requirements. Yes, untoward incidents are unlikely to happen if you work with experienced and reliable providers of the best HVAC services. However, knowing they carry adequate insurance can give you more peace of mind.
A valid registration means an HVAC contractor has met the HICPA's insurance requirements. However, ask the contractor for a copy of their policies for extra assurance. Then, contact their insurance provider to verify their policies' validity.
3. Read Online Reviews
Reviews from online platforms like Google can be excellent sources of insider information about an HVAC company's:
Service and product quality
Value for price
Work ethic
Customer satisfaction rating
By reading reviews, you can get insights into whether a company's HVAC pros arrive on the job on time, if they complete it satisfactorily, and if they charge reasonable rates. Likewise, you can gauge from legit customer stories whether:
Previous customers were happy with the HVAC services provided
An HVAC company is dependable
You should hire the HVAC contractor for your installation project
Pro Tip: When you check Google reviews, don't just glance at the number of stars. You should also check the number of reviews. Ideally, you'd want an HVAC company with dozens of 4-star and 5-star reviews rather than one with less than ten 5-star reviews.
4. Check the HVAC Brands They Install
No matter how experienced or knowledgeable an HVAC professional is, you won't be able to maximize your investment if the equipment they install isn't reliable. So, before you select an HVAC company, check the brands they work with. Some of the top ones, whether you want a forced air or central air system, include the following:
AirEase
Comfortmaker
Concord
Friedrich
Heil
For heating systems, among the most reputable brands are:
Rinnai
LAARS
Carlin Combustion Technology
New Yorker
Taco Comfort Solutions
Home Comfort Solutions partners only with highly trusted HVAC brands, including the above. Rest assured that the heating and cooling products we carry and install are among your most energy-efficient options.
5. Look for Companies Offering Financing Programs
Do a quick Google search, and you'll learn that HVAC installations can cost thousands of dollars. Not everyone has that kind of money to shell out upfront.
Fortunately, dependable HVAC companies understand how heating and cooling equipment and their installation can be pricey. So, they offer financing, flexible payment options, and affordable monthly payments.
At Home Comfort Solutions, we can make your new HVAC installation easier on your wallet by providing financing assistance. If you qualify for our quick and easy application process, you can get the funds within 24 hours.
Partner With the Right Heating and Cooling Installation Experts
When you need heating and cooling installation, you'd want to partner with a registered contractor in Carbon County, PA. You must also ensure they have adequate and valid insurance, many positive Google reviews, and install equipment from reliable brands.
Home Comfort Solutions, LLC is proud to meet all those qualifications and more. Our local, family-owned, and operated company has served Carbon County (and beyond) for over 15 years. We've also been a proud recipient of Lehighton's Times News Readers' Choice awards since 2020.
Speak with us today for all your prompt, high-quality, affordable HVAC and plumbing needs. We'll be happy to give you a free quote!
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